Dorchester girl pleads responsible to overcharging tenants and pocketing their hire cash

A Dorchester girl pleaded responsible to finishing up a number of fraudulent transactions whereas working for a Boston-based property administration firm, a rip-off that officers say included sending tenants to an area barbershop to “pay” their hire.

Stacey Sanchez-Mercedes, 29, pleaded responsible to 1 rely of larceny over $1,200 on Friday, Suffolk District Legal professional Kevin Hayden’s workplace stated in a press launch. She was accused of overcharging tenants and stealing greater than $100,000 whereas working for Alliance Realty.

Members of Alliance Realty’s administration crew instructed Boston police final December {that a} former worker — later recognized as Sanchez-Mercedes — dedicated quite a few fraudulent transactions with shoppers over a one-year interval, in keeping with the discharge. 

Sanchez-Mercedes labored for Alliance Realty for about three years, largely centered on properties in Hyde Park, Dorchester, and Roxbury, the DA’s workplace stated. The realty firm terminated her employment on Dec. 2, 2022.

Police detectives later obtained copies of rental agreements that Sanchez-Mercedes had altered; Alliance Realty reported that Sanchez-Mercedes would overcharge tenants by asking for a $2,000 safety deposit, then change the quantity to $1,000 and pocket the distinction. The DA’s workplace stated she charged charges that Alliance Realty usually didn’t, equivalent to dealer charges. 

Sanchez-Mercedes additionally made faux eviction notices, utilized for state rental help on tenants’ behalf, and had tenants deposit cash into her private checking account, in keeping with the press launch.

In the meantime, different tenants instructed Alliance Realty that Sanchez-Mercedes instructed them to take their hire cash to a Roslindale barbershop and provides it to a person named “George,” who would current them with a paper receipt. Alliance Realty by no means noticed that cash, the DA’s workplace stated. 

Decide Margaret Albertson sentenced Sanchez-Mercedes to a two-year continuance with out a discovering and ordered her to steer clear of Alliance Realty and all victims and witnesses, in keeping with the press launch. She is going to return to court docket on Oct. 10 for a restitution listening to. Her lawyer was not instantly reachable for touch upon the end result.

“This particular person took benefit of her place and used an elaborate scheme to fill her pockets with office receipts and the hard-earned cash of trusting tenants,” Hayden stated in an announcement. “Like many who’ve come earlier than [her], she thought she may steal from her office and her prospects and never get caught. And like many who’ve come earlier than her, she came upon she was very, very unsuitable.”